The Philippine Coast Guard has distanced itself from a supposed maritime cooperation deal with China, including joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, as announced by the Chinese ambassador. Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the PCG is not involved in crafting such plans. Tensions persist following incidents involving Chinese forces.
In Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has distanced itself from reports of a draft coast guard cooperation agreement with China. PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela stated on Friday, “As far as the PCG is concerned, based on my last conversation with the commandant, we are not involved in crafting this coast guard cooperation with China, specifically regarding plans for joint patrols.” Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan claimed the draft agreement is 95 percent complete and could be finalized after the next round of political dialogues. The deal would cover collaboration on environmental protection, trash collection, and search-and-rescue operations to ease maritime tensions. Despite this, the Chinese Coast Guard has repeatedly confronted PCG vessels with dangerous maneuvers and water cannon attacks. On Friday, Chinese forces launched flares and challenged a PCG aircraft on a flight near Panganiban Reef, where Tarriela was aboard with journalists after accompanying Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to a ceremony on Pag-asa Island. “This is dangerous on our part because we cannot really expect how far the flares can reach the aircraft,” Tarriela said. Sen. Gatchalian reported witnessing Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels around the island, including radio warnings of entering “Chinese airspace.” “I saw with my own eyes, the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese militia presence. The situation is hot, not just the weather,” he said. Separately, Ray Powell, executive director of the SeaLight Foundation, warned of a China-linked influence network in the Philippines operating through Chinese-language media, education institutions, and civic organizations to legitimize Beijing's activities in the West Philippine Sea. “Beijing’s goal is not just to control reefs in the West Philippine Sea. It is to convince Filipinos to stop resisting and accept Chinese control as a permanent reality,” Powell stated.